BACK PANEL
DIRECT OUTPUTS –The Shenandoah® Compak 300 contains the most comprehensive direct output section available on any acoustic instrument amplifier. Both XLR balanced and ¼” unbalanced outputs make “real world sense” when connecting with other equipment. The ¼” unbalanced outputs are true professional line level (+4 dBv) with an output impedance of 1k ohm, and can drive virtually any line level input, including power amplifiers. The XLR balanced output is “hot” mic level, rated at –30 dBv. This configuration allows the Shenandoah® Compak 300 to drive very long cable lengths (250+ feet) without problems or added noise. The XLR balanced direct outputs can be “ground lifted” with the global ground lift switch. This switch lifts pin 1 on all of the XLR balanced outputs to break any ground loops between the Shenandoah® Compak 300 and a PA system. Separate Channel 1 and Channel 2 outputs are post channel volume/pre effects (to take advantage of the dual inputs on each channel) while the Channel 1+2 output is post master volume/post eq/post effects to aid in sending a “finished” mixed signal to a PA system or external power amplifier.
Note: The design of the Shenandoah® Compak 300 also allows it’s use as a preamp/direct box. It is okay to use the amplifier without speakers attached.
EFFECTS LOOP—A series effects loop is provided so an out-board effects processor can be used with or in place of the on-board Digital Effects unit. The return level from an external processor into the ¼” effects return jack should be adjusted using the controls of the external processor. A ¼” EFFECTS CANCEL jack is provided on the back panel to mute both internal and external effects via footswitch. Any standard single button latching footswitch (with shielded cable) may be used. Signal is muted when the switch is closed. The on-board effects can be turned off by using the program selection labeled “bypass”. All other on-board effects on the Shenandoah® Compak 300 can be used in con- junction with an out-board effects unit plugged into the effects loop.
AUX INPUT – A 1/4” unbalanced line level aux input is provided that sums directly to the main output bus, con- trolled by the master volume control. This input is ideal for practicing with recorded tracks from a CD player, IPOD, or MP-3 player. It is recommended to use a cable with left & right signals connected to a “Y” jack, summing the signal into the aux. input jack. Adjust the level of the playback source to balance with the guitar’s volume.
HEADPHONE OUT – A 1/4” TRS jack is provided for connection to headphones. Do not connect this output to anything but headphones. For silent practicing just unplug the speaker. There is no harm using the amplifier without a speaker attached.
SPEAKER OUTPUT JACKS –The Shenandoah® Compak 300 provides 2 parallel ¼” speaker output jacks. Minimum total load is 4 ohms (Two 8 ohm speaker cabinets). The Shenandoah® Compak 300 combos are factory equipped with a specially designed 8 ohm Neodymium speaker and a compression tweeter.
POWER AMPLIFIER – The power amplifier used in the Shenandoah® Compak 300 is a super-efficient class D pulse width modulation amplifier, powered by a state of the art switch-mode power supply (SMPS) which produces almost no waste heat. This ultra lightweight amplifier technology offers unparalleled performance and power and is the heart of this lightweight design.
